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Topic Review (Newest First)

01-30-2014 03:34 AM

puffswami

UPDATE: 2 WEEKS+ since initial injury

Seemed to have been a strain. None of the classic sitting, walking symptoms of hip dysplasia or torn ACL were initially apparent so that is another reason I did not rush to the vet.

He seems to be back to 100% health. No pain or favoring other limbs and full mobility. I think the use of buffered aspirin helped quite a bit along with very limited walking during his recovery phase. However, he can also run at full speed with no instability in his gait.

The LESSON I learned was not to play chase on the pavement during cold weather/post-snowing/probably ever again. Even though the high speed of the ball is what he enjoys chasing after it is most likely that some leg muscle was pulled due to his ball-drive. I strongly suggest that only playing fetch on grass where speed can be lessened and sure-footedness increased + no chasing till spring.

op, just my opinion, like you, i don't run to the vet for every little thing. i have given asa. never more than once a day. the one thing that concerned me is you you said when you squeezed the thigh, the dog yelped, to me that signals that it is time for the vet visit.

01-15-2014 10:01 AM

doggiedad

you're asking for help with your dog. going to the Vet is where the help
is. someone teliing you their dog's symptoms doesn't cure your dog nor
does it tell you what's wrong with your dog.

I checked a number of sites before giving him aspirin, most said anywhere from 5mg to 15mg per lbs. is adequate. In fact, Rimadyl is what many dogs seem to be sensitive to. I specifically went to buy him BUFFERED ASPIRIN as well. So far today, no yelps or trouble getting up today. Do I think he magically healed in one day? Of course not! I am going to let him heal at least for a week. Probably no more ball-fetching until Spring (and then only on grass not pavement that he really loves because of the speed of the ball).

The problem with Vets is that unless a problem is obvious a lot of them don't diagnose adequately. This has to do with the actual time spent with them which is like 10 minutes per visit. And then the test after test. You go in thinking it will be around $50 and walk out 1/2 hour later having spent $250 with no positive changes.

Vets are a business. It is very hard for people to accept that but vets are a business no matter how much they act like they like your dog/cat/snake. Not unlike any other business. And one of the reasons healthcare is so expensive in the U.S. is because it is one of the rare times wherein the consumer has NO BARGAINING POWER! I recently needed to buy a rash cream and the concentrations were 1%, 2.5%, and 5.0%. Well the first two were $8 and 40$ respectively, you know how much the 5.0% concentration was???......$250! I asked the pharmacist why this price hike and he casually said "oh, the first two are paid out-of-pocket usually, the 5% is the one that health insurance pays for."

>>>> I don't understand why someone would even type "go to the vet" as a reply? <<<<

I assume that is the first thought that springs to anyone's mind so there is no need to even mention it (unless this forum is owned by a Veterinary Association (which seems like a good business model - own all the breed domains, refer selves, profit!). I am not looking for home remedies (although appreciated) but rather similar circumstances/symptoms/diagnoses/treatment. At least then I will be informed when going to the vet about what the crowd thinks.

>>>> Thank you for your kind advice. In the past I have rushed to the veterinarian too quickly and basically told nothing is wrong so I am kind of hesitant to do it again and again. <<<<

Here is good video that I used to evaluate my GSD. Same exact diagnosis, no yelping until up by his hip muscle. One thing I know for sure is ABSOLUTELY no more hard-fetching on pavement. Kal loves it but no more.

Thanks for your advice and recommendations for prescriptions/medicines/joint supplements. Another pain-free day for my dog. Seems very mobile and happy and no missteps or awkward gaits on a very short & slow walk. Not a yelp was heard today.

Now I'm gonna try to find a decent vet while my dog is healthy. I think one of the reasons for poor service + high costs has been because of going to vets in times of need rather than to review their services. Like I said, anytime you are not in the bargaining position (in any transaction) you are in a very unfavorable position.

Thinking of trying to find smaller veterinary practices rather than the large busy ones I always go to, so may look on the outskirts of the metropolitan areas. It is so easy to wrongly assume that shinier = better care (I also think that when many vets see a GSD their pricing strategy is immediately inflated; not unlike getting a Rolls Royce repaired and having to pay a hefty premium over normal car repairs even though all cars basically operate the same).

I agree, shiny is not better....our vet is in a older building, they have a chore list in the bathroom. The vet and tech have scheduled days to avoid paying outside source and having more overhead! The building is not pretty, rooms are small and decor old! But the service and love of the animals....is priceless!!!

I checked a number of sites before giving him aspirin, most said anywhere from 5mg to 15mg per lbs. is adequate. In fact, Rimadyl is what many dogs seem to be sensitive to. I specifically went to buy him BUFFERED ASPIRIN as well. So far today, no yelps or trouble getting up today. Do I think he magically healed in one day? Of course not! I am going to let him heal at least for a week. Probably no more ball-fetching until Spring (and then only on grass not pavement that he really loves because of the speed of the ball).

The problem with Vets is that unless a problem is obvious a lot of them don't diagnose adequately. This has to do with the actual time spent with them which is like 10 minutes per visit. And then the test after test. You go in thinking it will be around $50 and walk out 1/2 hour later having spent $250 with no positive changes.

Vets are a business. It is very hard for people to accept that but vets are a business no matter how much they act like they like your dog/cat/snake. Not unlike any other business. And one of the reasons healthcare is so expensive in the U.S. is because it is one of the rare times wherein the consumer has NO BARGAINING POWER! I recently needed to buy a rash cream and the concentrations were 1%, 2.5%, and 5.0%. Well the first two were $8 and 40$ respectively, you know how much the 5.0% concentration was???......$250! I asked the pharmacist why this price hike and he casually said "oh, the first two are paid out-of-pocket usually, the 5% is the one that health insurance pays for."

I don't understand why someone would even type "go to the vet" as a reply? I assume that is the first thought that springs to anyone's mind so there is no need to even mention it (unless this forum is owned by a Veterinary Association (which seems like a good business model - own all the breed domains, refer selves, profit!). I am not looking for home remedies (although appreciated) but rather similar circumstances/symptoms/diagnoses/treatment. At least then I will be informed when going to the vet about what the crowd thinks.

I would not even begin to know where to start with the issues you described. I would have rushed to the vet, because that is what I do...:-/ I am always worried they are in pain and want to avoid our animals being in pain if possible.....my response is related to the vet comments. We had a vet like you describe. I thought for sure there had to be a different kind of vet. I started my search, I talked to people, and visited over 40 vets in our area! One really stood out....they have low office visits and they absolutely try to avoid any extra cost. Millie recently had to make many visit due to an injury she caused (she is goofy and thinks running at top speed around other trees with a stick is a good idea)....the vet charged for the recheck visit instead of the regular visit....preparing for multiple visits to make sure she was healing properly. She prescribed just enough meds to make sure we would see a difference. If we saw that I was allowed to call, have them fill the rest of the rx and just walk in and pick it up. When we did that, she walked out and ask many question, visited with Millie and felt her over to make sure she was reducing swelling and looking normal again. No office fee or anything....she stopped what she was doing with another dog to check and love on Millie. The vet has never spent less than 30 mins with Millie and that is just routine shots. She emails and calls to confirm recovery. They also encourage us to come in if we are around the area and let everyone give the dogs treats just to make the vets office fun and yummy not just sick and stressful. I have never been happier with a vet! I think the difference she is a vet that has newly started her career, she does not act like she is god and if she has a question (like she did with Millie's last injury) she calls a specialist! Gets advice and comes right back in the room! We have officially moved our 12 year old cat, our foster cat and both dogs to her! If I have a question....I can call and she will give advice but has never rushed us in or pressured us to see her just for her advice! I would highly suggest finding someone who cares more about the animals and not so much about the money. The new vet is half the price of our old one.....she fills the Cheaper meds at office, but will refer us to the pharmacy if it can be filled for free....she also discounts the other three animals after the first. The office is very close to the humane society on test, shots and preventive meds. She never treats our dogs differently (like our first vet) and ask where we do training so she can refer others....she is partial to our dogs because of their behavior, how gentle they are and how well they do with all the check ups, shots, exams and scales. I would suggest starting a search for a new vet....one that takes more time with you and your animals. In my opinion bed side manner is just as important with animals. :-))

Glad your pup is feeling better, always a stressful time when they are sick!

.... Man you really have a rather warped way of viewing vets. I can admit I know some that are greedy, but it's greedy across the board, not breed specific. If you want to pick a breed to be jacking things on, all those brachiocephalic breeds or the toy breeds would be a better hit since they're usually the ones who have more medical problems in the long run. I haven't seen anyone, even ones that I know are the kind to try and get all the money they can, aren't the sort to look at someone and instantly increase prices or go for the most expensive. Honestly most of the time we simply try to guess who can at least afford basic things, and who likely won't have money even for an exam. We tend to like to know what kind of financial limitations there can be so that we can set care plans accordingly.

Just... -shakes her head-

Good luck in your search. Glad that your dog seems to be feeling better than he was.

.... Woman you really have a rather naive way of viewing the world. But I guess I would be too if lived in an isolated city with only 200,000 people and little diversity.

Just... -LOL-

Thank you for your well wishes. And yes, I am very familiar with brachiocephalic-breed expenses because of my other dog.

01-15-2014 02:39 AM

Colie CVT

.... Man you really have a rather warped way of viewing vets. I can admit I know some that are greedy, but it's greedy across the board, not breed specific. If you want to pick a breed to be jacking things on, all those brachiocephallic breeds or the toy breeds would be a better hit since they're usually the ones who have more medical problems in the long run. I haven't seen anyone, even ones that I know are the kind to try and get all the money they can, aren't the sort to look at someone and instantly increase prices or go for the most expensive. Honestly most of the time we simply try to guess who can at least afford basic things, and who likely won't have money even for an exam. We tend to like to know what kind of financial limitations there can be so that we can set care plans accordingly.

Just... -shakes her head-

Good luck in your search. Glad that your dog seems to be feeling better than he was.

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